Podiatry Services

Dr. Halinski has been trained specifically and extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of all manner of foot conditions. This training encompasses all of the intricately related systems and structures of the foot and lower leg including neurological, circulatory, skin, and the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.

Foot and ankle emergencies happen every day. Broken bones, dislocations, sprains, contusions, infections, and other serious injuries can occur at any time. Early attention is vitally important. Whenever you sustain a foot or ankle injury, you should seek immediate treatment from a podiatric physician.

Foot tendonitis tends to be caused by overuse of a tendon from a repetitive action of some kind. Irritation of the tendon tends to be more prevalent as we age because our tendons lose some of their elasticity. In most cases of foot tendonitis, a patient will recall a specific incident that caused the tendon pain. Treatment of foot tendonitis may include limiting physical activities, taking an anti-inflammatory, icing the area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and immobilizing the foot by either wrapping the foot with an ace bandage or casting the foot in more severe cases. Self-massage with heating cream or oil may also help.

Foot tendonitis can be prevented by properly warming up and stretching all foot muscles, wearing the right shoes for the intended physical activity, choosing shoes with good arch and heel support, and varying your exercise route and routine to keep one set of muscles from being overstressed.

Achilles Tendonitis is an ailment that accounts for a large number of running injuries, Achilles tendonitis is an irritation or inflammation of the large tendon in the back of the lower calf that attaches to the back of the heel. The condition is often caused by lack of flexibility and overpronation.

Achilles Tendonitis can be prevented by stretching regularly. Shoe inserts such as heel cups and arch supports may also help to correct faulty foot mechanics that can lead to this injury.

Effectively treating Achilles Tendonitis often requires the use of ice and short term use of over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. Resting the affected limb is vital for quick recovery. A podiatrist may recommend immobilization in more severe cases (such as a walking boot) to allow the area to heal faster.

Orthotics are shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular, walking pattern. Orthotics are not truly or solely “arch supports,” although some people use those words to describe them, and they perhaps can best be understood with those words in mind. They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.

Doctors of podiatric medicine prescribe orthotics as a conservative approach to many foot problems or as a method of control after certain types of foot surgery; their use is a highly successful, practical treatment form.

Orthotics take various forms and are constructed of various materials. All are concerned with improving foot function and minimizing stress forces that could ultimately cause foot deformity and pain.

Foot orthotics fall into three broad categories: those that primarily attempt to change foot function, those that are primarily protective in nature, and those that combine functional control and protection.

Orthotic devices are effective in the treatment of children with foot deformities. Most podiatric physicians recommend that children with such deformities be placed in orthotics soon after they start walking, to stabilize the foot. The devices can be placed directly into a standard shoe or an athletic shoe.

Usually, the orthotics need to be replaced when the child’s foot has grown two sizes. Different types of orthotics may be needed as the child’s foot develops and changes shape.

The length of time a child needs orthotics varies considerably, depending on the seriousness of the deformity and how soon correction is addressed.

Some of the signs of flat feet are pain in the feet, especially after standing or walking for extended periods of time. Other symptoms include slow walking and difficulty in keeping up with others. Conservative treatment options of flat feet include changing the type of shoe worn or wearing an orthotic device. Some over the counter insoles can be helpful, but a better option may be creating a custom fit foot orthotic that is specifically made from an impression of your feet. There may also be surgical options for treating flat feet in some cases.